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Grassroots level action is critical to address violence against Dalit Women

NEW DELHI, March 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Breakthrough India’s Pan-Asian Summit “Reframe” brought an important conversation on the need for collaborating and co-creating collective actions to support women suffering gender-based violence and discrimination. Eminent speakers and experts in intersectional feminism highlighted the best practices from regional, national and local collaborations for interventions and advocacy efforts to shape the way forward for addressing GBV and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights through inter-country and sub-regional partnerships and foreign alliances.
Talking about the plight of Dalit women in India, Abirami Jotheeswaran, General Secretary, All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch, said, “Every day, as per official reports, 9 Dalit women across India are raped. To create advocacy spaces for Dalit women, we should extensively monitor the incidents of caste and gender violence and intervene in the cases. In heinous cases of human rights violation, a nation-wide fact finding mission should be launched. Despite several efforts from organisations across India, we still witness a lack of empathy among stakeholders regarding Dalit women. Unfortunately, many Dalit women are still unaware of their rights and entitlements. To tackle the same, it is important to identify and work with different human rights groups and allies at the grassroots level to promote community led advocacy.”
Despite national laws and international human rights standards prohibiting any physical, sexual or  psychological violence against women, varying forms of violent acts specifically targeting Dalit women are occurring on a large scale across India today. Dalit women constitute 9.79 crore, i.e. 8% of the total Indian population. Dalit women face more violence and oppression, and exclusion based on their caste identity.
Biplabi Shrestra, Programme Director, ARROW, said, “There was an assessment done in Asia-Pacific regions in the spectrum of civic space that shows that 94% of people live in countries with closed, repressed or obstructed civic spaces and even in some developed countries, civic spaces are being narrowed. We have experienced this even more in COVID where the pandemic has been used as an excuse for the shrinkage of civic spaces and to repress our voices at all levels. This has led to suffering of human rights of marginalized people leading to gender based violence, and violation of their sexual reproductive health and rights.”
The transgender community, on the other hand, suffer from a lack of legal recognition, equality and protection, and fundamental citizenship rights. These include the right to a legal identity based on the gender of their choosing, and the right to gender equality and equity, that is, non-discrimination in  all spheres of life based on their gender identity or gender expression. In many contexts trans women are legally identified as male and are unable to change their gender on identification cards and passports. The violation of the fundamental right to personhood perpetuates serious disadvantages in everyday life.
As challenges vary in marginalized sub-sections, indigenous people suffer differently. There are 54 million indigenous people across the globe, including 28 million women with disabilities, out of which 80% live in Asia Pacific. Violence related to indigenous women especially women with disabilities is complex and intense because of the multiple identities that they hold, but their stories are undocumented.
Pratima Gurung, Academic Activist, Nepal, talked about coming together for indigenous women, “Most of the narratives about crimes against indigenous people are descriptive and presented in a linear pattern of gender-based violence. Global data suggests that 33% of indigenous women are raped in their lifetime, and 80% of disabled women have faced violence. There is a huge gap between the disabled and the non-disabled counterparts and there are differences in the lived experiences of these women. When it comes to indigenous women, their collective rights are very important. The debate around SRHR is yet to reach disabled indigenous women. There is a need to hear the marginalized voices and civic spaces’ frames should be broadened.” 
Adding to the discussion, Sai Jyothirmai Rarcherla, Deputy Executive Director, ARROW, said, “Young people face intersecting challenges such as lack of access to quality medicines, displacement and forced migration, unsafe abortions, high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and lack of youth led policies at the national level. Young people have voiced their recommendations to end gender based violence, which includes having more agency, a comprehensive sexuality education, and creation of community networks and programmes that address gender based violence. The best practice that we have adopted at ARROW is to provide an allowance to young marginalized people.”
About Breakthrough:
Breakthrough works towards making violence and discrimination against women and girls unacceptable. We change gender norms by working with adolescents and youth, their families, and their communities, as well as by using media campaigns, the arts and popular culture to build a more equal world around us and create a more enabling environment.

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Design POV Returns to Mumbai with its second edition ‘Sense and Sensibility’ – A Celebration of Immersive, Multi-Sensory Design

15 – 17 May 2026 | Jio World Convention Centre, MumbaiMUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Design POV returns to Mumbai from 15 to 17 May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre with its highly anticipated second edition, anchored in the theme ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Building on a successful debut in 2025 that welcomed over 7,000 visitors and featured more than 75 brands and 18 studios, the platform expands this year with deeper curation and a bold exploration of immersive, multi-sensory design.

Founded by Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, Design POV was conceived as a curated environment that moves beyond the conventional exhibition format. While the show speaks through the medium of architecture, it champions all disciplines of design that contribute to a lived space, from interiors and material innovation to lighting, surfaces, furniture and spatial storytelling.”As an industry, we are often conditioned to prioritise what a space looks like because that is how most briefs are framed,” says Asif, Co-Founder, Design POV. “With Sense and Sensibility, we are consciously shifting the lens toward how a space is experienced. Texture, sound, atmosphere and emotion are not secondary layers, they are fundamental to how people connect with a space.”The 2026 edition examines what designing beyond sight truly means, inviting participants to engage all five senses and shape emotional connection within space. From tactility and acoustics to material experimentation and spatial storytelling, the focus shifts from how a space looks to how it feels. It invites brands, studios, artists and designers to present fully realised environments where these elements converge, encouraging deeper engagement beyond surface aesthetics.”From the outset, our intention was to create a setting where design is not simply displayed, but truly inhabited,” adds Gagan, Co-Founder, Design POV. “Each edition strengthens that ambition through sharper curation, stronger collaborations and immersive environments that allow people to connect meaningfully with design.”Positioned at the intersection of commerce and creativity, Design POV offers industry professionals and discerning audiences a space to engage directly with the evolving future of design.Highlights of Design POV 2026 include immersive brand pavilions, experiential installations, new product launches, and curated design studio showcases. Participating design studios include ADND Studio, Abin Design Studio, Alara Studio, Baldiwala Edge, DSP Design Associates, Design Hex, Jannat Vasi Interior Design, Sanjay Puri Architects, Shroffleon, Studio Archohm, and Talati & Partners LLP., among others, while exhibiting brands include Blanc White, Kuche 7, Neytt Homes, Sunroof, and Woven Legacy. Across furniture, lighting, surfaces and textiles, exhibitors will unveil new collections, experimental materials and limited-edition collaborations created exclusively for Design POV 2026.The second edition of Design POV 2026 will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.For more information, visit www.designpovindia.com and follow @designpov.india on Instagram.About Design POV Design POV is an immersive design platform that celebrates unconventional perspectives and collaborative creation. Conceived as a space where architecture, art, and business intersect, Design POV reimagines how design is experienced moving beyond static showcases to fully realised, functional environments. Following a successful debut edition in 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Design POV returns in May 2026 with an expanded vision and deeper interdisciplinary collaboration.At the heart of the platform is The ‘Core’, a curated collective of leading architecture and design studios invited to explore a central theme through unconstrained spatial expression. These studios collaborate with participating brands and build partners to create immersive installations that demonstrate design in context, not isolation.Design POV brings together architects, designers, brands, artists, and discerning audiences including homeowners, industry leaders, and the design curious. Through installations, panels, workshops, and live interactions, the platform fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934542/Design_POV_2026.jpg 

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Mumbai to Host ‘Gen O – Pixels & Play’, a Global Festival of Creators, Gaming and Youth Innovation

MUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mumbai will host Gen O – Pixels & Play, a four-day international platform celebrating creativity, technology and youth innovation, from 19–22 March 2026 at MMRDA Grounds, BKC. The initiative will bring together creators, innovators, startups, cultural practitioners and international delegates from over 23 countries, placing Mumbai at the centre of global conversations around the future of the Orange Economy and the AVGC sector. The initiative is organised by EFlag Corp, supported by the Government of Maharashtra, with Maharashtra Tourism as the Title Sponsor, as a part of its “India Maha India” initiative.
The festival will be inaugurated by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in the presence of Shri Shamburaj Desai, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Uday Samant, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Maharashtra along with international delegates, industry leaders and global participants.Maharashtra has emerged as one of India’s leading centres for media, entertainment and digital content industries, with Mumbai at the heart of the country’s film, broadcasting, gaming and creative technology ecosystem. With world-class connectivity, a vibrant talent base and strong industry presence, the state is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for next-generation creative industries including animation, immersive media, gaming and digital storytelling.The Government of Maharashtra is actively working to strengthen the ecosystem for animation, gaming, visual effects and immersive media through policy support, infrastructure development and skill initiatives. With Mumbai already serving as India’s creative capital, the state aims to further position itself as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative industries, creating new opportunities for studios, startups, creators and international partners.Gen O has been conceived as a platform bringing together multiple dimensions of India’s rapidly expanding AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics) ecosystem, including immersive media, gaming, digital storytelling, creator-led culture and emerging technology platforms.As a part of the programme, Mumbai will also host an international esports championship featuring national teams from 23 countries across six global regions, highlighting the growing global significance of competitive gaming within the next-generation entertainment economy.The initiative comes at a time when India is placing focus on creative industries through initiatives such as the WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) announced by the Government of India, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital content industries in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision for the sector as a key pillar of India’s future economy.According to the Government of India’s AVGC Task Force, the sector is expected to require nearly two million skilled professionals by 2030, while estimates suggest India’s AVGC ecosystem could grow to over $26 billion by the end of the decade.Across four days, Gen O – Pixels & Play will present a curated festival experience featuring:Live cultural performances and artistic showcasesAVGC-XR innovation and technology demonstrationsStartup and creator ecosystem engagementsArtisan showcases and cultural installations celebrating Maharashtra’s heritageYouth engagement initiatives exploring emerging careers in creative and digital industriesThe festival is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors per day, including creators, developers, students, entrepreneurs and international delegates.Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, said: “Maharashtra has always been a centre of creativity, enterprise and cultural influence. As technology reshapes the global creative industries, platforms like Gen O bring together innovation, talent and international collaboration. Mumbai already stands at the heart of India’s media and entertainment ecosystem, and initiatives like this will further strengthen our position as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative economy while opening new opportunities for young creators and startups.”Shripad Ashtekar, Founder, EFlag Corp, said:”India’s creative and digital sectors are entering a defining decade. The Orange Awards recognise the emerging creators, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the Orange Economy, and aim to inspire the next generation of talent across India’s creative and technology ecosystem.”With participants arriving from across the world, Gen O – Pixels & Play aims to position Mumbai as a global meeting point for creativity, technology and digital culture, reinforcing Maharashtra’s role in shaping the future of the global creative economy. About Gen O – Pixels & PlayGen O – Pixels & Play is a platform focused on the intersection of creativity, technology and youth innovation across the AVGC ecosystem. The initiative brings together creators, startups, technologists and cultural practitioners to explore emerging opportunities within India’s Orange Economy, while showcasing the future of digital storytelling, immersive media, creator culture and next-generation entertainment industries.About EFlag CorpEFlag Corp builds platforms at the intersection of technology, digital engagement and emerging creative industries. Its initiatives span phygital discovery infrastructure, AI-driven engagement solutions and esports ecosystem development, designed to connect physical experiences with digital ecosystems. The company works with governments, institutions and industry partners to enable scalable innovation across sectors such as tourism, culture, entertainment and the AVGC industry.

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From Rural Roots to Global Impact: Ruma Devi on Women, Craft and Purpose on Herbalife India’s Podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted

BENGALURU, India, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, has unveiled a new episode of its podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, featuring renowned social entrepreneur and women’s empowerment champion Ruma Devi.

Titled ‘Threads of Change: From Local Hands to Global Hearts’, the episode captures Ruma Devi’s inspiring journey from rural Rajasthan to global platforms, highlighting resilience, grassroots leadership and the transformative power of skill-based livelihoods.In conversation with Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, Ruma Devi shares how her journey began with a simple need for income and gradually evolved into a movement empowering thousands of women through handicrafts, training and community-driven opportunities. She reflects on building trust within conservative households, enabling women to work from home, and fostering financial independence that reshaped perceptions within families and communities.Speaking about her journey, Ruma Devi said:”Every woman carries a doubt within, that she may not be educated enough, or that her language might become a barrier. But confidence and skill can open doors anywhere. Art flourishes the more it is shared.”The episode also sheds light on the work of the Ruma Devi Foundation, which focuses on skill development, education support, healthcare initiatives and cultural preservation in rural communities. From livelihood training to scholarships and health interventions, the foundation continues to drive meaningful social change at the grassroots level.Commenting on the episode, Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said:”Ruma Devi’s journey is a powerful reminder that sustainable change begins at the grassroots and grows through courage, purpose and community collaboration. Her story perfectly reflects the spirit of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, authentic conversations that inspire individuals to believe in their potential and build a better future.”Through her experiences, Ruma Devi reinforces a simple yet powerful message, that transformation starts the moment individuals choose to believe in themselves and take the first step forward.Watch the Full EpisodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSedbvqh2UIAlso streaming on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sAv4ewhQObo3kjOkpNi3V?si=kWMsSm1wSAKyNpb7HKUbQQApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts/id1808386057?i=1000753523579Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a53233b6-84b5-43ce-a34a-5230c769168b/episodes/c38d5074-13f1-4ee0-82c1-591a5ad184e6/live-your-best-life-unscripted-threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts-ft-ruma-devi-live-your-best-life-unscriptedAbout Herbalife Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935791/Ruma_Devi_Herbalife_podcast.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238437/5868011/Herbalife_Logo.jpg  

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